Successful aging: Social theory, scripture, church teaching
Thanks to medical progress and better overall living conditions, a greater number of people are living well into old age, many more than in previous generations. However, we feel instinctively that there must be more to life than longevity and merely living longer. Religious communities and social s...
| Published in: | Journal of religion, spirituality & aging |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Routledge
[2018]
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| In: |
Journal of religion, spirituality & aging
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| Further subjects: | B
Life Review
B Gerotranscendence B Successful Aging B Pope John Paul II B Jacob |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) |
| Summary: | Thanks to medical progress and better overall living conditions, a greater number of people are living well into old age, many more than in previous generations. However, we feel instinctively that there must be more to life than longevity and merely living longer. Religious communities and social scientists are both interested in what makes for successful aging. The dialogue between them can be enriched by fostering a mutual appreciation for biblical norms and stories, and a better working knowledge of the models and methods of the social sciences. To that end, I offer a sketch of four models of aging: disengagement, activity, continuity, and Tornstam's theory of gerotranscendence. This sketch serves as a prelude to a discussion of three biblical stories: (1) the story of Barzillai and King David in 2 Samuel, which shows how the elderly can make a positive contribution to the common good, in spite of their limitations; (2) the intertwined stories of Jacob and Joseph in Genesis, which can help us understand the theological significance of life review, forgiveness, reconciliation, and life review in the aging process; and (3) the third phase of the encounter considers John Paul II's Letter to the Elderly, and builds on several suggestions he makes concerning the life of Moses and successful aging. |
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| ISSN: | 1552-8049 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of religion, spirituality & aging
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/15528030.2018.1428921 |